Advanced practice providers in the medical genetics workforce: A nationwide survey.

PURPOSE: This study characterizes the current landscape of genetics advanced practice providers (APPs) in the United States. METHODS: A 35-question survey was emailed to the Genetics APP Listserv in the fall of 2023. Questions represented 5 domains: demographics, practice, onboarding, compensation, and perceptions. RESULTS: A total of 105 genetics APPs (93%) completed the survey. Genetics APPs evaluate various patient types and populations in multiple settings, working an average of 41.3 hours and seeing 15 patients weekly. Nearly all see new (96%) and follow-up (98%) patients and utilize telemedicine (93%). Half (51%) have only worked in the genetics specialty during their career. Overall, APPs are generally satisfied with their career as a genetics APP (98%) and work-life balance (86%), and most (86%) feel that they function at the top of their scope. CONCLUSION: Study findings elucidate the current state of genetics APPs. Results define the characteristics and role of an APP in the genetics specialty and will guide employers and genetics organizations to utilize APPs at the top of their scope and recruit new APPs to this exciting field. A collaborative effort is needed to increase the overall genetics workforce, decrease patient wait times, and increase access to genetics care.

Examining Roles, Challenges, and Opportunities Within the Metabolic Genetics Workforce.

The metabolic genetics clinic is a crucial hub for the management of patients with inborn errors of metabolism and other complex genetic conditions. Because more patients are being identified due to the expanded diagnostics, including newborn screening, and living longer with the advent of improved therapies, the multidisciplinary metabolic genetics team has been challenged in growing proportionally to meet patients' needs. Insufficient rates of recruitment to the field and increased levels of attrition have led to concerns about a rising shortage of metabolic genetics health care providers and necessitate creative solutions to grow the workforce. Here, we describe the roles and responsibilities of the multidisciplinary metabolic genetics team and describe opportunities to support patient care and promote clinician work-life balance in a rapidly changing field.

The 2019 medical genetics workforce: A focus on laboratory geneticists.

PURPOSE: The aim of this report is to inform the genetics and genomics field about the results of a 2019 workforce survey of US laboratory geneticists. METHODS: The American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics distributed an electronic survey to board-certified/eligible diplomates in 2019. Analysis of the responses was performed by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. RESULTS: A total of 422 individuals identified as laboratory geneticists. The respondents represent the range of possible certifications. Nearly one-third were Clinical Cytogenetics and Genomics diplomates, another third were Molecular Genetics and Genomics diplomates, and the others were Clinical Biochemical Genetics diplomates or held a combination of certificates. The majority of laboratory geneticists are PhDs. The others were physicians or other degree combinations. Most laboratory geneticists work in academic medical centers or commercial laboratories. Most respondents identified as females and White. The median age was 53 years. A third of the respondents have been in the profession for 21+ years and plan to reduce hours or retire in the next 5 years. CONCLUSION: The genetics field needs to foster the next generation of laboratory geneticists to meet the increasing complexity and demand for genetic testing.

The training of future clinical geneticists: Evaluation and reflection on the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine Summer Genetics Scholars Program.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the Summer Genetics Scholars Program of the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine is to expose medical students to medical genetics and genomics early during school with the aim of increasing the number of physicians pursuing a career in this field. This survey study evaluated the Summer Genetics Scholars Program on the achievement of its goals. METHODS: Former Summer Genetics Scholars who had completed medical school were sent a 13-question survey aimed at evaluating the program and obtaining feedback about their experiences. RESULTS: Of 125 former scholars, 55 completed the survey with 2 additional participants partially completing the survey. The vast majority of former participants report either being very satisfied or satisfied with their experience (96%). CONCLUSION: Whereas most participants found their experience to be beneficial, evaluation of the initial 6 years of the program did not show an increase in the number of students entering residencies in medical genetics and genomics. It likely is too early to assess the program's true influence on entry into the field because data were only available for the first 6 years of the Summer Genetics Scholars Program, and many residents typically choose to complete another primary specialty before medical genetics and genomics.

Genomic education for the next generation of health-care providers.

Historically, medical geneticists and genetic counselors have provided the majority of genetic services. Advances in technology, reduction in testing costs, and increased public awareness have led to a growing demand for genetic services in both clinical and direct-to-consumer spaces. Recent and anticipated changes in the workforce of genetic counselors and medical geneticists require a reexamination of the way we educate health-care providers and the means by which we provide access to genetic services. The time is ripe for rapid growth of genetic and genomic services, but to capitalize on these opportunities, we need to consider a variety of educational mechanisms to reach providers both within and beyond the traditional genetic counseling and medical genetics sectors, including nurses, physician assistants, and nongenetics physicians. This article summarizes the educational efforts underway in each of these professions.

Current conditions in medical genetics practice.

PURPOSE: This study of current conditions in medical genetics practice is designed to inform public policy development and present possible solutions for improving access to genetic services. METHODS: Using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Member Directory, membership directories from regional collaborative partners, listservs from national partners, and social media, a 16-question survey was electronically distributed in 2015. RESULTS: The responses of 924 genetics professionals and related providers present a snapshot of current practice and an assessment of workforce needs. More than 92% of the respondents (837/910) are involved in clinical care. Among geneticists, 60% spend more than 51% of their time in clinical care. Geneticists reported an average of 10.2 new patients per week and 7.8 follow-up visits per week. More than 62% of geneticists said that their practices were nearly full; 9.4% said that they were not taking new patients. The survey identified more than 100 geneticists and 200 genetic counselor job vacancies. Fewer than 18% of respondents reported use of telemedicine. CONCLUSION: When compared with previously published workforce studies, these data show that wait times and average new patient caseloads have increased, while the number of geneticists has not.